Humidity question please help

[derricknapril]

I have a little giant still air with auto turner. What does the humidity need to be during incubation, and then what does it need to be for hatching? Thanks so much

 

[chikmagnet_09]

I found some information for you about the humidity...

This is plain and simple, yet the MOST important part of hatching.

Still-air incubator (no fan):101.5 degrees measured at the TOP of the eggs.

Fan Forced incubator: 99.5 degrees measured anywhere in the incubator.

Humidity: 60-65% for the first 18 days, 80-85% for the last 3 days.

You can sneak by with humidity numbers that aren't very accurate, but the combination of poor humidity and temperature will definately cause problems at hatch time. If your temperature is not accurate you will DEFINATELY have problems at hatch time. The bigger the deviation from the proper temperature, the bigger your problems will be!

I found this on the following website...
http://shilala.homestead.com/incubating.html.

I try to follow this but sometimes it can be very difficult. I am still trying to figure out better ways to reach my goal of 100% hatch myself. Hope this helps!! '

Good Luck hatching !!!

 

[derricknapril]

Thank you so much that helps alot! Yea I lost my first batch I believe to my humidity. I didnt have a humidity gauge and just going by the bator instructions as to how much water to add. I have bought a temp and hum them digital from walmart to check to see how it is going to do next time! Thanks again!

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Those humidity numbers wont hatch a thing here. You will have to find what works for you. 40% 1-18 an 70% 19-21 would be a good start point. If you can find someone that lives close that has the same incubator they may be able to help you more. Here's how humidity works.

 

[chikmagnet_09]

yeah...those may be a little high(previous post from me)...last batch i did was about 45 on days 1-18 and then 65-70 on the last 3 days+. I just wasnt quit sure because my last batch only 5 out of 20 eggs hatched(more were fertile and developed but did not make it to the end). They were shipped eggs so I wasnt sure if it was due to low humidity or if it had to do with shipped eggs. Anyways, Im still learning and going to do another batch at the end of this month or beginning of next month.

 

[rarebreedeggs4u]

Quote:
If you bought the Acu-Rite, it's not accurate on humidity, as I have found out the hard way

 

[kidsmaw]

I am not trying to discount what's being said here, maybe just offering a second opinion?

My Little Giant instructions say 102 degrees at the top off the eggs. I have hatched chicks in it two times and each time they hatched on day 21, so 102 at the tops worked for me!

 

[kidsmaw]

...Also make sure you check to see if your hygrometer is 'off' and by how much http://exoticpets.about.com/od/herpresources/ss/hygrometer.htm

Please note that the Acu-Rite measures temperature from the probe, but measures humidity from the unit itself. The whole thing needs to go in. Trust me.

 

[Junkmanme]

VENTILATION is as IMPORTANT as Temp and Humidity. Too much fluctuation in ANY of these THREE factors will reduce your hatch........

.....in my opinion,
-Junkmanme-

 

[hinkjc]

For still air, I recommend 101-102 temps and 55% humidity during the first 18 days, then increase to 65-70% the last 3 days of incubation. I agree ventilation is important, and special attention for still air units is warranted if you have if full. If you are only setting a handful of eggs, ventilation becomes less of an issue in these units.